Torque amplifier and revolution accumulator



Feb. 8, 1949. B. COOPER ET AL 2,460,808

TORQUE AMPLIFIER AND REVOLUTION ACCUMULATOR Filed Feb. 14. 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO RS BENJA/Vl/N COOPER AM 55/97 F: HOH/ IAN V ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1949- B. COOPER ET AL 2,460,808

TORQUE AMPLIFIER AND REVOLUTION ACCUMULATOR Filed Feb. 14. 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 14 Q I lml g [WI 16 /g' AL 55 g WA NN ATTORN EY Feb. 8, 1949. B. COOPER ET AL TORQUE AMPLIFIER AND REVOLUTION ACCUMULATOR Filed Feb. 14. 1944 3 Shee t.sSheet 3 FLD 6 OJ 2 3 A INVENTORS BENJAM/N COOPER 415557 HOHMANN QNE ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 8, 1949 TORQUE AMPLIFIER AND REVOLUTION ACCUMULATOR Benjamin Cooper, Netconnand Albert F. Hohsaid Hohmann asslgnor mann, Teaneck, N. J to said Cooper Application February 14, 1944, Serial No. 522,314

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to torque amplifier and revolution accumulator.

An object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for bringing two independently rotating objects into synchronism with each other regardless of whether one gets ahead of the other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described, including a rotating or primary shaft and a secondary or follower shaft and means to cause the secondary shaft to follow rotation of the primary shaft, and means to bring the follower shaft into phase with the primary shaft even if the primary shaft gets ahead of the follower shaft,

the mechanism also including means to prevent loss of one or more revolutions by the follower shaft in the event that the primary shaft accelerates with sudden rapidity and the follower shaft is unable to follow.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described having means by which revolutions of the primary or initial rotating body may be stored up or accumulated until the follower catches up so as to bring both into synchronism and including means to amplify the torque of the follower.

Thus the initial rotating'body may be a weak motor whereas the follower having an amplifled torque can operate relatively heavier mechanisms.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described having a wide variety of -uses. Thus said mechanism may be employed in cases where an initial rotating object has a small torque and does not have uniform rotation and where it is desired to rotate a second shaft with an increased torque and through the same angle of rotation as the initial rotating body.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a compact apparatus of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, which shall be smooth and positive in operation and yet practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig, 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken 3-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken 8-8 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the control circult.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, l0 designates apparatus embodying the invention. The same comprises a housing or casing ll having a base l2, a front wall l3, a rear wall I and end walls l5 and Q6.

The end walls are formed with aligned openings I and I611. The front and rear walls are formed with pairs of aligned openings l8 disposed at the same' level. Within the openings l5a, lGa are bushings i9 supporting a horizontal shaft 20. On said shaft is a differential mechanism 2|. Said differential mechanism comprises a differential body 22. Said body comprises a cylindrical wall 23 and a web 24. The latter is formed with a central openin 25 receiving the shaft 20. The body may be pinned to the shaft as at 26 or otherwise attached thereto. The cylindrlcal wall 23 is formed with a pair of spaced outwardly extending flanges 28 and 25.

Mounted on said cylindrical wall 23 and attached to flange Z9 is a gear 30. A portion of the cylindrical wall 23 and part of the web 24 are cut away as shown in Fig. 8 to form a straight surface 32 between the flanges 28, 29 parallel to the axis of shaft 20.. Mounted on and between said flanges and projecting into the cut out in the differential body are a pair of parallel shafts 34, 35. On shaft 34 is mounted a gear 36; and on shaft 35 is mounted a gear 31. The gears 36 and 31 have overlapping meshing portions. The teeth of gear 31 are located adjacent flanges 28 and terminate short of flange 29. The teeth of gear 36 are adjacent flange 29 and terminate short of flange 28. It will be noted that shafts 34 and 35 are parallel to shaft 20.

on line on line on line on line Rotatably mounted on shaft 20 and at one side of web 24 is a sleeve 4|! formed with a gear 4| meshing with gear 91. Said sleeve is also formed with a worm gear 42 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Rotatably mounted on shaft 29 on the opposite side of said web 24 is a sleeve 43 formed with a gear 44 meshingwith gear 38. Said sleeve is also formed with a worm gear 45 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. The gears 38 and 31 are similar and the gears 4| and 44 are likewise similar. It will now be understood that if sleeves 49 and 43 rotate in opposite directions at the same rate of speed differential body 22 will remain still. However, if sleeve 40 is rotated faster than sleeve 43 differential body 22 will rotate in one direction.

In the two pairs of openings It in the front and rear walls are bearings 50 supporting a pair of parallel horizontal shafts and 52 disposed below shaft 29. On shaft 5| is a worm 53 meshing with worm gear 42; and on shaft 52 is a worm 54 meshing with worm gear 45. At one end of shaft 5| and disposed exteriorly of the casing is a gear 56 meshing with a gear 51 on shaft 58 of a primary rotating object here shown for the purpose of illustration in the form of a motor. On one end of shaft 52 is a follower or secondary rotating object or shaft 60 connected to said shaft 52. by a suitable coupling 6|. Connected to the opposite end of shaft 52 by means of coupling 62 is a booster motor 83. This motor 52 is preferably of the reversing type.

If the primary rotates at the same rate of speed as the follower, the differential body 22 will remain stationary. The prime mover often accelerates too rapidly for the follower to follow, thus causing both to be thrown out of phase with each other. Means is therefore provided to make the speed of the primary independent of the speed at which the follower is able to follow; means being further provided by which revolutions of the primary are stored up or accumulated until the follower catches up to it and gets into synchronism or in phase with it. To this end there is fixed to the top of the casing II a top plate 65 formed with an opening 66. Fixed to the top plate 65 is a bracket 81 having a flange 68 screwed to said top plate, an end wall 69 extending from said flange, a top wall extending from said end wall, and a pair of parallel downwardly extending vertical walls 12 and I3. Mounted on walls 69 and I3 is a horizontal shaft I4 extending beyond casing Mounted on shaft 14 for rotation is a gear projectingthrough opening 66 and meshing with gear 30. Fixed to gear 15 for rotation therewith is a wheel 16 provided with a pair of gear teeth 'l'l forming a gear slot 18 therebetween.

Also rotatably mounted on the shaft 14 adjacent wheel 16 is a gear 19. Fixed to gear l9 for rotation therewith is a wheel 16a similar to wheel 16. There is further mounted on shaft 14 adjacent wheel Iia, a sleeve 89, and fixed to said sleeve is a gear 19a similar to gear 19. Also fixed to said sleeve is a cam 8| comprising a curved part 82 of reduced radius and a curved part 83 of increased radius forming a pair of shoulders 84 and 85 between said portions.

Fixed to end wall l6 of the casing are a pair of normally open switches 90 and 9|. Each switch comprises a pair of normally spaced apart switch blades. When the cam BI is in neutral position as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the switches 90, 9| are open. However, should the cam be rotated either to the right or left, one or the other of the switches 99, 9| will close. The

4 switches and 9| are connected to the terminals of the booster motor 63 so as to operate said motor when either of the switches are closed, but when both switches are open operation of the motor ceases. When switch 90 closes the motor 63 will rotate in one direction and when switch 9| closes said motor will rotate in an opposite direction.

Supported on and between the walls 89 and I2 is a horizontal shaft 95. Mounted on the shaft are a pair of similar transfer gears 95, 96a. Transfer gear 96 has five teeth 91 adapted to mesh with the teeth 11 of wheel 16 and ten teeth 98 meshing with the teeth of gear 19. Transfer gear 99a is similar to transfer gear 96 and likewise has five teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of wheel 16a and ten teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of gearl9a. v a

The transfer gear serves as a reduction gearing so that it would require a relatively large number of revolutions of gear 30 to rotate cam 8| a complete revolution. This reduction gearing can be multiplied so as to make it impossible to rotate cam 8| through a complete revolution under practical conditions, thereby making it impossible for the transmitter to lose one or more complete revolutions.

It will be noted that an initial angular rotation of gear 15 is transferred to cam 8| without appreciable change, when said cam is in normal position. However as soon as the cam is out of normal position, and one of the switches 90, 9| is closed, one thousand revolutions are required to cause a complete revolution of the cam. -If straight reduction gearing were used rotation of gear 15 would at all times cause cam 8| to rotate one-one thousandth of the angle of movement of said gear 15. With such straight reduction gearing it would not be possible to obtain quick closure of one of the switches 90, 9| and yet prevent loss of a revolution of cam 8|.

The operation of the device will now be understood. As the primary rotates, it will rotate the differential body causing rotation of the cam 8! which will thereby energize the motor 63 and cause the follower to be rotated and to follow the primary. The follower will rotate through the same angle as the primary to rotate the cam back toward neutral position. The booster motor will remain energized until the follower becomes synchronous with the primary. Should the primary become accelerated too rapidly for the follower to follow, the follower will continue rotating after the primary stops, until the follower catches up, Rotations or revolutions of the primary are thus stored up until the follower catches up to the primary.

Furthermore the torque of the follower is greater than the primary because of the booster motor which is selected to have a greater torque than the primary motor 59.

Furthermore it is not impossible for the follower to lose a complete revolution then get into phase with the primary but a revolution behind, because the reduction gearing takes care of the greatest possible acceleration of the follower under working conditions.

It will be noted that the secondary will follow the primary in either direction because of the provision of the reversing motor 63 and the switches 90, 9| either one or the other of which will be closed by the cam depending upon direction of rotation of the cam.

It will be noted that the motor 59 and the motor 63 with their connections to the sleeves 49 and 40 comprise the inputs for the differential mechanism, whereas the output for operating the reversing switch, is taken from the body III and gear 00. Thus there is provided means controlled by the output of the differential mechanism to bring the inputs in phase.

. In Fig. 9 there is shown a wiring diagram of the circuit control for motor 03. In said diagram there is shown cam II controlling switches 00, Switch 00 comprises contacts 00a, 00b. Switch 0| comprises contacts Sla, 0Ib. Contacts 900, Sla are connected to one side I00 of the power supply.

Motor 03 has a field coil III and an armature I02. There is employed in the circuit a pair of relays I00, I04. Relay I00 controls a 2 pole normally open switch I comprising fixed contacts I06, I01 and movable switch arms I00a, I0la respectively. Relay I04 controls a 2 pole normally open switch I08 comprising fixed contacts I00, H0 and movable switch arms I00a, |I0a respectively, Fixed contacts I01, 0 are interconnected by wire III and are connected one armature brush by wire II2. Contacts I00, I" are interconnected by wire H0 and are connected to the other armature brush by wire 4. Switch arms I0'Ia, I09a are interconnected by wire H5, and are connected to one side of field coil IN by wire Ilia. Switch arms I06a, IIOa are connected to feed line I00 by wires I I8, II! respectively. Relay coil I03 is connected on one side by wire H8 to contact 90b. Relay coil I04 is connected on one side to switch contact 0Ib by wire H0. The other sides of relay coils I03, I04 are interconnected by wire I20, and are connected to the other side of the field coil MI by wire l20a. Said other side of the field coil MI is connected by wire I2I to power feed line I22.

The circuit described above is atypical motor reversing circuit.

When cam 8| is in normal or neutral position, switches 90, 9| are both open and the motor is stationary. Upon rotating cam 8I in a clockwise direction looking at Fig. 9, switch 90 closes and switch 9| remains open. Relay I03 is energized to cause rotation of the motor in one direction. Should cam 8I be rotated from normal or neutral position in a counterclockwise direction, relay I04 is energized and the motor is rotated in a reverse direction,

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a differential mechanism, a pair of inputs for said mechanism, an output for said differential mechanism, means controlled by the output to keep the two inputs in phase, said means including a cam, a pair of switches controlled by said cam, said switches being open when said cam is in normal position, said cam having means to close one switch while leaving the other switch open when said cam is rotated away from normal position in one direction, and for closing said other switch while leaving the first switch open when said cam is rotated away from. normal position inan opposite direction. a reversing motor connected to one of said inputs, means controlled by said switches to rotate said motor in one direction when said cam is rotated in one direction and for-reversing the motor when said cam is rotated in an opposite direction and for deenergizing said motor when said cam is in normal position, and transfer means connecting said output with saidcam.

2. In combination, a differential mechanism, a pair of inputs therefor and an output therefor, an electric motor connected to one of the inputs, means actuated by the output to operate said motor to bring the input to which the motor is connected into phase with the other input, and including a rotary member, a circuit controlling the motor and including means controlled by rotation of said rotary member, and means interconnecting said output with said rotary member for rotating said rotary member through one revolution for a multiple of revolutions of said output.

-3. A differential having a pair of inputs and an output, means to rotate one input, an electric motor to operate the other input, a cam, switch means controlledby said cam to energize said motor, and means controlled by said output to rotate said cam, said last means including means interposed between said output and said cam to cause said cam to be rotated through a lesser angle than said output.

4. In combination, differential mechanism comprising a pair of inputs and an output, means including an electric motor to rotate one of said inputs, means controlled by said output to control the operation of said motor, said last means comprising a cam, transfer gearing connecting said output with said 'cam, said transfer gearing being so arranged that when the cam is in normal position, initial movement of said output will cause initial movement of said cam away from normal and continued movement of said output in the same direction will result in alternating non-movement and movement of said cam, and switch means controlled by the cam for energizing said motor.

5. In combination, a shaft, differential mechanism comprising a differential body on said shaft, a pair of gears rotatably mounted on said body and disposed parallel to said shaft, said gears meshing with each other, a pair of gears on said shaft meshing with the first pair of gears, respectively, an electric motor to rotate one of said second pair of gears, means controlled by said body to control the operation of said motor, said last means comprising a gear on said body, a second shaft, a cam on said second shaft, transfer gearing connecting the gear on said body with said cam, said transfer gearing being so arranged that when the cam is in normal position, initial movement of said output wili cause initial movement of said cam away from normal and continued movement of said output in the same direction will result in alternating nonmovement and movement of said cam, and switch means controlled by the cam for energize ing said motor.

6. In combination, differential mechanism comprising a pair of inputs and an output, an electric motor to rotate one of said inputs, a second electric motor to rotate the other ofsaid inputs, means controlled by said output to control the operation of said second motor, said last means comprising a cam, transfer gearing conmeeting said output with said cam, said transfer gearing being so arranged that when the cam is in normal position, initial movement of said output will cause initial movement of said cam away from normal and continued movement of said output in the same direction will result in alternating non-movement and movement of said cam, switch means controlled by the cam for energizing said second motor said second motor having a greater torque than said first motor.

7. In combination, a differential having a pair 10 oi inputs and an output, means to rotate one input in either direction, a reversing electric motor connected to rotate the other input, a cam, means controlled by said output to rotate said cam, a pair of switches controlled by said cam, one

switch being connected to the electric motor to operate said motor in one direction when said switch is actuated, and the other switch connected to said electric motor to operate said motor in a reverse direction when said second' switch is actuated, said switches being normally in unactuated condition when the inputs are in phase, and said cam being adapted to actuate one of the switches while permitting said other switch to remain unactuated when said cam is rotated in one direction, and to actuate the second switch while permitting the first switch to remain unactuated upon rotating said cam in .an opposite direction, and reduction gearing inter I posed between said output and said cam.

8. In combination, a motor, a differential having a :pair of inputs and an output, said motor being connected to one of the inputs of said differential, a second motor connected to the other input of said differential, means controlled by the output of said differential for operating said second motor, said means including switch means to control the operation of said second motor, cam means actuated by the output and controlling the actuation of said switch, and speed reducing means interposed between said output and cam.

9. In combination, a differential having a pair of inputs and an output, means to rotate one input in either direction, a reversing electric motor connected to rotate the other input, a cam, means controlled by said output to rotate said cam, a pair of switches controlled by said cam, one switch being connected to the electric motor to operate said motor in one direction when said switch is actuated, and the other switch connected to said electric motor to operate said motor in a reverse direction when said second switch is actuated, said switches being normally in unactuated condition when the inputs are in phase, and said cam being adapted to actuate one of the switches while permitting said other switch to remain unacuated when said cam is rotated in one direction, and to actuate the second switch while permitting the first switch to remain unactuated upon rotating said cam in an opposite direction and transfer gearing interposed between said output and said cam, said transfer gearing being so arranged that when the cam is in normal position, initial movement of said output will cause initial movement of said cam away from normal and continued movement of said output in the same direction will result in alternating non-movement and movement of said cam.

10. In combination, a motor, a differential having a pair of inputs and an output, said motor being connected to one of the inputs of said difl'erential, a second motor connected to the other input of said differential, means controlled by the output of said differential for operating said second motor, said means including switch means to control the operation of said second motor, cam means actuated by the output and controlling the actuation of said switch, and speed reducing transfer gearing interposed between said output and cam, said transfer gearing being so arranged that when the cam is in normal position, initial movement of said output will cause initial movement of said cam away from normal and continued movement of said output in the same direction will result in alternating non-movement and movement of said cam.

11. In combination, a differential mechanism, a pair of inputs for said mechanism, an output for said differential mechanism, means controlled by the output to keep the two inputs in phase, said means including a cam, a pair of switches controlled by said cam, said switches being open when said cam is in normal position, said cam having means to close one switch while leaving the other switch open when said cam is rotated away from normal position in an opposite direction, a reversing motor connected to one of said inputs, means controlled by said switches to rotate said motor in one direction when said cam is rotated in one direction and for reversing the motor when said cam is rotated in an opposite direction and for 'deenergizing said motor when said cam is normal position, and transfer gearing connecting said output with said cam, said transfer gearing being so arranged that when the cam is in normal vposition, initial movement of said output will cause initial movement of said cam away from normal and continued movement of said output in the same direction will result in alternating non-movement and movement of said cam.

12. In combination, a differential mechanism, a pair of inputs therefor and an output therefor, an electric motor connected to one of the inputs, means actuated by the output to cause said motor to bring the input to which the motor is connected into phase with the other input, and including a rotary member, a circuit controlling the motor and including means controlled by rotation of said rotary member, and means interconnecting said output with said rotary member for rotating said rotary member through one revolution for a multiple of revolutions of said output, the interconnecting means being so arranged that when said rotary member is in normal position, initial movement of said output will result in initial movement of said rotary member away from normal, whereas continued movement of said output will cause alternating nonmovement and movement of said rotary member.

BENJAMIN COOPER. ALBERT F. HOHMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 798,045 McLean Aug, 22, 1905 1,310,372 Poole July 15, 1919 1,501,265 Boddie Jul 15, 1924 2,397,819 Tear Apr, 2, 1946 

